A number of Sunderland academy prospects could be given the chance to impress Régis Le Bris in Saturday’s pre-season opener at York City
Sunderland’s opening pre-season friendly at York City this Saturday could offer the first glimpse of which Academy of Light prospects are closest to Régis Le Bris’ senior plans.
The Black Cats begin their preparations away at the LNER Community Stadium, with the fixture likely to provide opportunities across the squad as players build their fitness at different rates following the summer break.
Pre-season games of this nature have traditionally allowed Sunderland to make extensive changes, manage the workloads of established first-team players and hand valuable minutes to youngsters who have impressed at academy level.
The result will be largely secondary. More revealing will be the composition of Le Bris’ squad, which academy players travel and who is trusted with meaningful time alongside senior professionals. Sunderland have several young players who could come into consideration against York and throughout the wider friendly programme.
Jenson Jones
Jenson Jones is one of the most obvious names to watch after spending a significant amount of time around Le Bris’ senior group last season.
The 19-year-old can operate at left-back, right-back or in midfield and is highly regarded by the Sunderland head coach. He has already featured for the first team in the Carabao Cup and was named on the bench for several Premier League matches last term.
That versatility should help his chances during pre-season. With players still working towards full fitness and Le Bris likely to rotate heavily, Jones can cover a number of roles and will hope to strengthen his position within the senior picture.
Joe Cowan
Highly-rated goalkeeper Joe Cowan could also benefit from Sunderland’s summer programme. The 16-year-old is well regarded at the Academy of Light and is viewed as an exciting long-term prospect.
Sunderland have established senior options in goal, but early pre-season fixtures often create opportunities for younger keepers to train with the first team and gain experience around the matchday group. Even travelling and taking part in the warm-up environment would represent another useful stage in Cowan’s development.
Jaydon Jones
Jaydon Jones has made steady progress within Sunderland’s academy and is admired by key figures at the club. The 19-year-old midfielder, whose brother Harrison left Sunderland for Peterborough United this summer, is capable of operating either as a number six or further forward as an eight.
Breaking into Sunderland’s midfield will be exceptionally difficult. Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra and Enzo Le Fée are already competing in that area, with further recruitment still possible. Pre-season, however, gives academy midfielders the chance to train alongside players of that calibre and demonstrate whether they can cope with the speed and physicality of the senior environment.
Trey Ogunsuyi
Trey Ogunsuyi may be the most obvious academy attacking option available to Le Bris. The 19-year-old gained valuable senior experience during loan spells with Falkirk and Shrewsbury Town last season and can play either through the middle or from the right.
His pace, movement and eye for goal could make him a particularly useful option during friendly games, especially when Sunderland make changes in the second half. The larger decision will surround what comes next. Another loan could provide Ogunsuyi with the regular senior football required to continue his development, but a positive pre-season would give Le Bris more information before that call is made.
Finn Geragusian
Finn Geragusian is another particularly intriguing prospect. The 18-year-old has a distinctive profile, combining height and physical power with the technical ability to play from the right or through the middle. He can provide a focal point in attack but is also comfortable receiving the ball in wider areas.
Geragusian has attracted outside interest, but his continued commitment to Sunderland provides the club with another opportunity to assess how close he is to senior football. A strong showing against York, or during the friendlies that follow, could help determine whether he remains around the first-team group, steps up permanently to under-21 level or heads out on loan.
Jack Whittaker
Jack Whittaker will also hope to be involved after an excellent campaign with Sunderland’s under-21s. The 19-year-old scored 11 goals and registered four assists across the academy competitions last season, while also earning a place on the senior bench against Brighton in the Premier League.
Whittaker’s flexibility could appeal to Le Bris. He is capable of playing from either flank, as a number ten or in a deeper midfield role. Pre-season should give him a chance to show whether those attacking returns can translate when playing alongside and against senior professionals.
Who else could feature?
Archie Lightfoot and Charlie Dinsdale may also come into consideration following their progress at academy level, while Ben Metcalf and Isaac Allan have already been working with Sunderland’s first-team goalkeeping group this week. Bayley Hester is another player to have committed his future to the club and will hope to continue building on his development during the summer programme.
Timur Tuterov’s situation is less clear, but the winger was one of Sunderland’s standout under-21 performers last season and would be another natural candidate for involvement should he remain part of the club’s plans. Not every youngster named will necessarily feature at York, and one pre-season appearance does not automatically signal a permanent promotion.
But these fixtures matter for young players. They provide an opportunity to work under Le Bris, experience the demands of senior football and ensure their names remain in the conversation. York City could therefore offer much more than the first run-out of the summer. It may also provide an early indication of which Sunderland prospects are beginning to move closer to the first team.
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